Location: Kingdom Arena, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Commentary Team: Michael Cole & Wade Barrett
Ring Announcer: Mark Nash
Opening Segment: Randy Orton and Cody Rhodes Speak Ahead of King of the Ring Final
Randy Orton kicked off SmackDown by praising Cody Rhodes’ epic semifinal clash against Jey Uso, calling it a potential “Match of the Year” and expressing his respect. However, Orton emphasized that while Cody may want to become King of the Ring, he needs the crown. Orton vowed redemption after his 2024 finals loss to Gunther and declared his path to retribution runs through Cody and John Cena, especially after being embarrassed by Cena at Backlash in his hometown.
Cody fired back with a heartfelt response, reminding Orton of their long history—starting with Orton slapping his father on Cody’s debut night. Cody acknowledged their bond but stated he needs this victory more than anyone. He vowed to become King of the Ring, even if it means overcoming his former mentor.
Backstage: Solo Sikoa instructed JC Mateo to finish off Jimmy Uso and reminded him they’re just getting started. Sikoa promised to handle Jacob Fatu himself at Night of Champions.
Match #1: JC Mateo vs. Jimmy Uso
In a physical opener, Jimmy Uso brought the fight to Mateo, but interference from Solo Sikoa on the outside shifted the momentum. Mateo capitalized, hitting the Tour of the Islands for the win. After the match, Solo tried to lure Jimmy back into The Bloodline fold, but Jimmy responded with a slap. Mateo pounced with a beatdown, but Jacob Fatu stormed the ring to even the odds—taking out Mateo with a spectacular Double Jump Moonsault and standing tall with Jimmy
Winner: JC Mateo via pinfall
Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa issued a passionate call to arms backstage, warning the tag division about the threat of The Wyatt Sicks. Nick Aldis interrupted, prompting Andrade El Idolo to step up. Aldis set a match for later: DIY vs. Andrade and a partner of his choice—none other than Fenix.
Vignette: Giulia and Zelina Vega Hype Video, A cinematic preview teased the much-anticipated title clash between Zelina Vega and Giulia.
Match #2: Giulia vs. Zelina Vega (c)
In an instant classic, Giulia and Vega lit up the crowd with fast-paced exchanges and hard-hitting spots. Vega nearly retained after a CodeRed and Flying Meteora, but Giulia powered back, hitting a devastating Kamigoye followed by the Northern Lights Bomb to secure her first WWE title in a show-stealing performance.
Title Change: Giulia wins the WWE Women’s United States Championship
Programming Note: Michael Cole announced that SmackDown returns to a two-hour format starting next week.
Backstage Segment: Charlotte Flair crossed paths with Alexa Bliss, who offered a truce—suggesting they could be allies of convenience. Charlotte walked away without answering.
Queen of the Ring Face-Off: Asuka, Jade Cargill & Naomi. Wade Barrett moderated the final face-to-face ahead of tomorrow’s Queen of the Ring Final. Jade Cargill promised to turn pressure into purpose. Asuka reminded Jade that experience trumps power. Naomi then interrupted, wielding her MITB briefcase and warning both women she could strike whenever she chooses.
Chaos erupted as Jade shoved Naomi. Asuka responded with a flurry of kicks, leaving Jade laid out while Naomi stood tall over her.
Backstage: Ron Killings demanded John Cena face him—but instead, Aleister Black dropped him with a Black Mass, declaring their debt now settled.
Backstage Interview: Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins vowed to keep their tag titles and wipe out The Wyatt Sicks. B-Fab promised to have their back in case of interference.
Match #3: Fenix & Andrade El Idolo vs. DIY
A stellar tag team encounter erupted as Fenix and Andrade outpaced DIY with high-octane offense and brilliant tandem work. After a wild finishing stretch that included double moonsaults, springboard kicks, and near falls, Fenix nailed Black Fire Driver and Andrade followed with The Message to pin Ciampa.
Winners: Fenix & Andrade via pinfall
Video Package: John Cena vs. CM Punk – The Final Chapter? – A look back at the bitter war of words and personal jabs between Cena and Punk ahead of Night of Champions.
R-Truth demanded John Cena face him like a man. Instead, Aleister Black laid him out with a vicious Black Mass, telling Truth he warned him not to drink from the cup.
Backstage: Damian Priest confronted Aleister Black over his repeated attacks on R-Truth. Carmelo Hayes inserted himself into the conversation, warning Priest not to get dragged into something that could end badly. Tensions are rising among all parties involved.
Match #4: The Street Profits (c) vs. The Wyatt Sicks via DQ – WWE Tag Team Championship
In a wild tag team title match, the Profits fought off Dexter Lumis and Joe Gacy in a physical, chaotic showdown. Interference from multiple teams—DIY, Motor City Machine Guns, Fraxiom, and Los Garza—led to an all-out brawl. The Wyatt Sicks were disqualified after Los Garza intervened. Post-match, Erick Rowan and Uncle Howdy wreaked havoc until The Profits stood tall, launching themselves over the ropes to take out the entire field in a jaw-dropping finale.
Winners: The Street Profits via Disqualification
Still Champions: The Street Profits
Backstage: Jimmy approached Jacob Fatu in the parking lot and finally gave him props, saying Fatu’s defiance toward Solo was the kind of courage Jimmy should’ve shown long ago. The two shared mutual respect and teased a possible alliance.
Main Event: Tiffany Stratton (c) vs. Nia Jax – Last Woman Standing Match
In an absolutely brutal and chaotic main event, Tiffany Stratton and Nia Jax threw everything at each other—including kendo sticks, chairs, and tables. Jax nearly put Stratton away multiple times, including with a diving splash through a ringside table. But Stratton refused to stay down.
Winner: Tiffany Stratton – Still WWE Women’s Champion
After Naomi tried to cash in her MITB briefcase, Stratton fought her off and used the same case to send Jax crashing through two stacked tables at ringside. Jax couldn’t answer the 10-count, and Stratton retained in a war that left both women battered.
CM Punk Drops a “Punkanomics” Promo on John Cena
John Cena arrogantly declared himself the genius and Punk a loser—until the lights hit and Basic Thuganomics blared across the arena. CM Punk stunned the crowd with a scathing freestyle promo dressed in Cena’s old-school gear. He shredded Cena for his hypocrisy, lack of originality, and career trajectory, dropping bars that echoed through WWE history.
Punk closed with one final shot: “Tomorrow night, you’re gonna lose to Kendrick—because bitch, you’re my Drake.”
The crowd erupted as Punk celebrated to close the show.
Stay tuned to PWMania.com for exclusive coverage of WWE Night of Champions, live from Riyadh!
